Wind shear inducing soil stability measuring device

Abstract

An apparatus for measuring soil stability of a test surface comprising a housing defining an interior chamber, the housing having an open bottom wherein the housing is configured to be placed over the test surface proximate the open bottom. A means for generating wind shear disposed in the interior chamber, the wind shear generating means configured to generate wind shear proximate the test surface and at least one particle monitor in communication with the interior chamber.

1. An apparatus for measuring soil stability of a test surface comprising:
 a housing defining an interior chamber, said housing having an open bottom wherein the housing is configured to be placed over the test surface; 
 a wind shear generating means positioned in relation to said interior chamber, such that the wind shear generating means generates wind shear proximate said test surface and wherein the means for generating wind shear comprises a ring generally parallel to the test surface; and 
 at least one particle monitor in communication with the interior chamber. 
 
   
   
     2. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein a skirt is affixed to the housing. 
   
   
     3. The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a data recording system. 
   
   
     4. An apparatus for measuring soil stability of a test surface comprising:
 a housing defining an interior chamber, said housing having an open bottom wherein the housing is configured to be placed over the test surface; 
 a wind shear generating means positioned in relation to said interior chamber, such that the wind shear generating means generates wind shear proximate said test surface and wherein the means for generating wind shear comprises a belt generally parallel to the test surface; and 
 at least one particle monitor in communication with the interior chamber. 
 
   
   
     5. The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein a skirt is affixed to the housing. 
   
   
     6. The apparatus of  claim 4  further comprising a data recording system. 
   
   
     7. An apparatus for measuring soil stability of a test surface comprising:
 a housing defining an interior chamber, said housing having an open bottom wherein the housing is configured to be placed over the test surface; 
 a wind shear generating means positioned in relation to said interior chamber, such that the wind shear generating means comprises a ring and generates wind shear parallel to said test surface; and 
 at least one particle monitor in communication with the interior chamber. 
 
   
   
     8. An apparatus for measuring soil stability of a test surface comprising:
 a housing defining an interior chamber, said housing having an open bottom wherein the housing is configured to be placed over the test surface; 
 a wind shear generating means positioned in relation to said interior chamber, such that the wind shear generating means comprises a belt and generates wind shear parallel to said test surface; and 
 at least one particle monitor in communication with the interior chamber. 
 
   
   
     9. In combination,
 a test surface comprising small particles capable of being emitted in response to a wind shear; 
 a wind shear generating means comprising a ring for generating wind shear parallel to the test surface, disposed in an interior chamber of a housing, the housing having an open bottom wherein the housing is configured to be placed proximate the test surface; and 
 at least one particle monitor proximate said housing. 
 
   
   
     10. In combination,
 a test surface comprising small particles capable of being emitted in response to a wind shear; 
 a wind shear generating means comprising a belt for generating wind shear parallel to the test surface, disposed in an interior chamber of a housing, the housing having an open bottom wherein the housing is configured to be placed proximate the test surface; and 
 at least one particle monitor proximate said housing. 
 
   
   
     11. A method of measuring a potential of a test surface to emit particles comprising:
 placing a means for generating wind shear over the test surface; 
 generating wind shear parallel to the test surface, wherein the means for generating wind shear comprises a ring; and 
 using a particle monitor to measure the particles emitted from the test surface. 
 
   
   
     12. The method of  claim 11  further comprising affixing a skirt to the housing. 
   
   
     13. The method of  claim 11  further comprising utilizing a data recording system to record particle data. 
   
   
     14. A method of measuring a potential of a test surface to emit particles comprising:
 placing a means for generating wind shear over the test surface; 
 generating wind shear parallel to the test surface, wherein the means for generating wind shear comprises a belt; and 
 using a particle monitor to measure the particles emitted from the test surface. 
 
   
   
     15. The method of  claim 14  further comprising affixing a skirt to the housing. 
   
   
     16. The method of  claim 14  further comprising utilizing a data recording system to record particle data.